Inhomogeneity parameter in designing an ion trap

TL;DR

This paper discusses how to optimize the design of surface ion traps by analyzing the inhomogeneity parameter and its impact on trap stability, providing guidelines for geometry and rf source configuration.

Contribution

It introduces a method to evaluate the inhomogeneity parameter in surface traps and offers design recommendations for stable trap operation.

Findings

Optimal q parameter range identified as 0.2-0.22 for stability

Mapping surface traps to linear quadrupole traps enables stability analysis

Geometry and rf source significantly influence trap stability

Abstract

In designing an ion trap, geometry and rf source should be optimized such that the trap depth is maximized while the ion remain stable. In a quadrupole linear trap, stable parameters $a$ and $q$ are utilized frequently in describing the stability. However, in a surface trap, the trap have to be mapped to the linear quadrupole trap so that $a$ and $q$ can be evaluated. This work explains how to handle them for surface trap designing and how the geometry and rf source affect it. We conclude that the $q$ parameter should be 0.2~0.22 so that the trap is stable.